Star of Sakova fl-2

by Richard S. Tuttle

  Towards the end of the Minister of Finance’s talk, General Kapla arrived and quietly took the empty seat. The Minister of Finance completed his report and then the Council welcomed its newest member. Minister of Defense, Kapla, nodded his thanks as the Minister of Trade rose to give his report.

  The Minister of Trade reported that food shipments traveling the roads would increase dramatically and with that increase would come a greater risk of highway thievery. He cautioned that if they did not increase the military presence on the nation’s roads that food theft would become their biggest problem.

  When the Minister of Trade finished, Alazar rose. “Ministers,” he addressed, “we have heard very disparaging reports today and they all point to serious problems facing this country if we do not increase the military presence at various points around the nation. I concur with these requests, but they do not address the real problem facing Omunga. The carnage at Campanil has hurt this country greatly, but I feel it is only the opening gambit for a much greater threat to us. With one single attack, the Sakovans have reigned havoc over us. They may try to attack Campanil again, or they may strike elsewhere without warning. Suppose they destroy the cornfields of Fortaka next? Or attack the wasooki herds around Breele?”

  The First Minister glanced around the table at the assembled Ministers, gauging their level of concern and sensing for how far he dare push in today’s meeting. “The Sakovans, Ministers,” he continued, leaning forward and placing both fists on the table, “are the real problem. I think we need to discuss a better use for our troops than patrolling the roads or guarding the burnt watula fields. Minister Kapla,” Alazar said as he turned his gaze to the new Minister of Defense, “I fear you are coming onto this Council at a very crucial point in our nations history. I am getting reports from all over the nation about Sakovan sightings and I think it is only a matter of time before they strike again. I would like to propose to the Council that you work up a plan to counterattack the Sakovans.”

  Protests and alarms spread around the table and Alazar held up his hand for quiet. “I am not asking our newest Minister to attack anybody,” Alazar insisted. “I am merely asking the Minister of Defense to draw up a plan for attack. I think it is prudent for Omunga to be prepared should we have to act. I know that we are loath to engage in a war if we can avoid it, but I also believe that the Sakovans will force our hand. Can any of you really state that we should not be prepared to defend our nation? Let us vote to have Minister Kapla draw up a plan and present it at our next meeting.”

  The assembled Ministers looked towards the silent Katana for his opinion. The Katana had been adamant in the past that nothing be done to antagonize the indigenous inhabitants of the land and Minister Doharte had been his mouthpiece in resisting Alazar’s attempts.

  The Katana sighed and nodded his head. “I guess there is no harm in being prepared,” he said. “I will remind the new Minister of Defense that he is only being asked to develop a plan. Under no circumstances are you to enter the Sakova or provoke the natives. I will not have a war foisted upon us by aggressive Ministers.”

  Alazar was stung by the Katana’s comments, but he smiled inwardly as he made a note to have the mage cell block food preparers increase the drug dosage for Master Malafar. Soon the Master mage would be so confused he would gladly kill the Katana.

  Chapter 24

  SunChaser

  The ballroom was huge and lavishly decorated with colorful banners hanging down from the balcony. Long banquet tables filled with exotic foods adorned three of the four walls and servants carrying trays of wine moved efficiently through the assembled crowd. The fourth wall hosted a raised platform with the Royal Throne of the Holy Katana. A dozen Monitors occupied the raised platform and a line of rich and influential citizens and government appointees waited their chance to wish the Katana well or seek a favor. Monitors were also posted at each of the doors to the ballroom, but the revelers paid no attention to their presence. Throngs of the wealthy and influential, dressed in the latest fashion, were scattered throughout the room, clustered in little groups or flitting from one group to the next.

  Alazar stood off to one side, seemingly a part of a small group, but in reality using the group as a screen so he could observe things without appearing out of place. He had little use for these social gatherings, which the Katana enjoyed throwing at the slightest excuse, but he did like to see who was talking to whom. The excuse the Katana had given for this reception was the appointment of a new Minister of Defense and General Kapla seemed to be enjoying the limelight. He watched the General standing in the center of the room as people came up to him and introduced themselves, vying to court the favor of a high government official. The whole process disgusted the First Minister. He detested the spineless wretches who tried to gain something by humbling themselves before some bureaucrat who didn’t know his left foot from his right. Alazar shook his head and headed for the door. He had better things to do than to watch a bunch of fools spill wine all over the floor trying to gain some advantage for themselves. At the last minute, he swerved and headed for General Kapla.

  “Congratulations, Minister Kapla,” Alazar smiled extending his hand. “I know you will do an excellent job.”

  “Thank you, First Minister,” Kapla replied. “I will certainly try my best. I hope you are enjoying the evening.”

  “Actually I have a bit of work to catch up on,” Alazar said. “I am afraid I will have to leave the celebrating to others, but I did want to wish you well before I left.”

  Minister Kapla did not have a chance to respond as Alazar’s place in the circle around the General was filled as soon as the First Minister turned to leave. Kapla had never received this type of attention in all his years of government service and he was lapping it up. It amazed him how a change in his position could change how people perceived him. The last gathering he had attended of any size was the funeral of his wife over ten years ago and that gathering consisted of about twenty people. Now he was the center of attention for over a thousand.

  He turned to grab another glass of wine from a passing servant and his hand brushed against the breast of a beautiful woman in a flowing red gown. Her face was that of an angel and her golden hair like a halo that fell down around her shoulders. She was tall for a woman, practically as tall as the General himself, and her body was so perfectly formed as to make him wonder if she were real. He stared into her brilliant blue eyes and shook his head.

  “I am terribly sorry,” Minister Kapla apologized. “Guess it is pretty crowded in here. I was just trying to get a glass of wine.”

  “It is much too crowded to get to know someone,” she answered in a voice that reminded the General of a soothing nighttime breeze. “I usually prefer a walk in the garden on a night like this,” she purred as she toyed with the medals on the General’s uniform. “Perhaps you should get two wines and join me for a stroll. You look like you need a break from the crowd.”

  Kapla stared at the vision of perfection for an awkward moment as if expecting her to disappear if he glanced away. He shook his head again and grabbed two glasses of wine from the servant. “I do think I could use some fresh air,” he smiled as he handed one of the glasses to the buxom blond. “I am not that familiar with the palace though,” he stated. “I am not sure that I can find the entrance to the gardens from here.”

  “That is no problem,” the woman giggled as she steered the General towards one of the doors. “I have been coming to these parties for years. They get kind of boring after a while, but then I have never met anyone with so many medals before. What are they all for?”

  “They are given for a variety of reasons,” the General said, his chest billowing out with pride. “Mostly for excellence in some area. Over the years I have made many milestones in the army. The square ones are for engagements such as this one for destroying a smuggling operation. The triangular ones are for special contributions to the nation like designing a new training program. The large rectangul
ar ones are recognition from the Katana himself.”

  “Very impressive General,” she smiled. “I think it is wonderful that you can wear your accomplishments on your chest. It lets everyone know how much you have given to your country. I think they should do that for all people. My late husband gave everything to Omunga and never had any medals to show for it.”

  “What did he do?” the General asked as she steered him into the garden.

  “He was the Minister of Agriculture before Asgarte,” the woman replied. “He gave everything to the government. Well, I don’t mean everything,” she giggled as she twirled her long red gown and sat on a bench. “I meant his efforts and time. He never had any time to spend his money. He left all of that to me.”

  “You are Minister Calix’s wife?” Kapla asked as he sat next to her. “I never even knew he was married.”

  “Very few people knew,” she answered. “He thought I looked too young for him and he was always afraid someone would steal me away. He was very jealous. Now I live in that huge mansion alone. Life just isn’t fair sometimes.”

  “You never remarried?” the General inquired thinking that with her looks and her money that he already knew the answer. Surely she must have married someone very important.

  “No,” she smiled. “Oh, I had plenty of offers, but I am not interested in getting married just to have a husband. Most men are just after my money and influence with the Katana or they just like the way I look. I guess I am too demanding in what I want in a husband.”

  Minister Kapla grinned. Money, looks, and influence all in one package. It had been a long time since he had had the pleasures of marriage. “Too demanding?” he asked. “You can never be too demanding when seeking a mate. What do you look for in an ideal mate?”

  “Oh, the normal things a woman looks for I guess,” she smiled. “Intelligence. Patriotism. Someone who gives their all to their country and someone with potential. I expect that my next husband will be the future Katana of Omunga.”

  “The Katana?” Kapla responded with a raised eyebrow. “That will be a hard person to find. Nobody knows who the next Katana will be.”

  “I will know when I meet him,” she smiled. “The next Katana will be someone who has dedicated his life to serving Omunga,” she said as she toyed with his medals again. “Who knows? It may be you.”

  The General shook his head slowly and stared at the angel next to him. Sometimes life plays mean tricks on you, he thought, and sometimes everything just falls into your lap. “I don’t even know your name,” he smiled as he put his arm around her.

  “It’s Cherri,” she smiled as she nuzzled her head on his chest.

  They sat silently for a moment and suddenly Cherri rose and kissed the General. “I have to be going now,” she cooed, “and you have to get back to your party. Perhaps we can talk again. I would love to hear about how you got each of those medals. I love a man who serves his country.”

  Minister Kapla rose in a daze. Her kiss had awakened a desire in him that had been lost for many years. “I would like that too,” he smiled. “May I call on you?”

  “Certainly,” she said with a warm seductive smile. “You must let me know in advance though. I am involved in so many charities and I spend a great deal of time in my garden. My servants do not allow anyone in unless I am expecting them.”

  “Understandable,” Kapla said. “Perhaps we can have dinner tomorrow night?”

  “That sounds like fun,” Cherri agreed as she kissed him one more time and pranced out of the garden.

  Cherri continued out of the palace and swiftly walked to her mansion, which was not very far away. She opened the front door and called for the servants. When they had gathered, she told them to take the night off and waited until they had left. She moved through the large house to the door leading to her private garden and unlocked the door. The garden was the only place she owned where the servants were not permitted to go. She walked into the garden and walked through the flowers and shrubs until she came to the small gazebo at the rear of the garden.

  “Don’t you look beautiful,” greeted StarWind. “I always wanted one of those dresses.”

  “Thanks,” replied Cherri. “It has been a long time since we talked. Who’s the giant?”

  “Sorry,” chuckled StarWind. “SunChaser meet Goral. SunChaser goes by the name Cherri in Omunga, Goral.”

  “Hiyas big boy,” SunChaser smiled. “Have a seat. I didn’t know they made them that big,” she laughed.

  “Tayo SunChaser,” Goral responded.

  “Did you manage to get GoldenEar’s book?” StarWind asked.

  “I got it,” SunChaser reported subconsciously rubbing the birthmark on her right arm. “Nothing in it to give a clue as to how he got caught. They had trashed the place looking for information and they had someone posted there to see if anyone showed up. I had to leave the body behind, but they will not be able to trace it to me.”

  “I am sorry to have to activate you,” StarWind apologized, “but we really need to find out what is going on. Someone high up in the government is pushing for a war with us.”

  “Not a problem,” SunChaser giggled. “Living the life of a rich widow is pretty boring. I welcome the chance to get involved again. I have a hook into the new Minister of Defense. That is why I am late. It may take some time to reel him in though, but I figure whoever is trying to provoke a war is responsible for the old Minister’s death. Ministers are not normally murdered in Okata. That person probably holds strings over the new one as well. I will find out who it is.”

  “Just don’t blow your cover,” StarWind warned. “The reason we have kept you deactivated is so you would be available when all else failed. GoldenEar was our last consistent source in the capital. We cannot afford to lose you too.”

  “I heard the bell,” SunChaser stated. “I never thought I would hear that in my lifetime. Who is the new Star?”

  “A young girl raised in Omunga,” StarWind replied. “Her name is Lyra. She is the daughter of WinterWind. Her father was kidnapped in the raid on the Academy of Magic. He is Master Malafar and I think he is being held in the mage cells here. If you pick up anything on that, send it right away.”

  “There was some commotion at the mage cells not long ago,” SunChaser said. “Two guards were murdered and a young wizard escaped.”

  “Do you have a description of this young wizard or GoldenEar’s son, Mekin?” StarWind asked.

  “No,” SunChaser answered.

  “How about a man named Harac with three fingers?” inquired the Sakovan spymaster.

  “Lots of men in Okata with less than a full hand,” responded SunChaser. “The sailors play a game called Digits here. Fools. Never heard of Harac though.”

  “Sounds like another trip to the waterfront,” interjected Goral.

  “So he does speak,” giggled SunChaser. “I have never known you to need a bodyguard StarWind.”

  “I like the strong silent type,” StarWind laughed. “If there is nothing else to report, we will be back over your wall.”

  “No need,” offered SunChaser. “I gave the servants the night off. I can let you out a door leading to the alley.”

  SunChaser led the way through her mansion to the side door and StarWind and Goral slipped out. They proceeded down the alley to the main street and headed for the waterfront. When they reached the water, they split up. Goral went to find a game of Digits and StarWind lurked around looking for three-fingered men.

  At first, StarWind walked the entire length of the wharf and found nothing. There were a few ships in the harbor, but the chances of her getting onboard were slim so she started checking the businesses. The Okata Waterfront hosted a long row of shops and taverns, mostly taverns, and StarWind decided to check them all and started at one end. It took her over an hour just to enter each tavern and look for a man matching Harac’s description. In the last tavern, the Dead Man’s Mug, she saw an Imperial Guard talking to the barkeep. She swiftly exited the
building, hoping she had done so without drawing attention to herself. Imperial Guards were a rarity in the waterfront areas and she had no desire to run into one tonight. Her job required many trips to the capital city of Omunga and the less Imperial Guards she ran into the better.

  StarWind waited in the shadows until the Imperial Guard in his shining white uniform left the tavern and headed back towards the city center. She realized that she was getting nowhere fast and decided to risk changing her tactics. She marched back down the row of businesses to the first tavern she had visited, the Bard’s Breath, and approached the barkeep. She asked if Harac had been in tonight and was met with a blank stare. She left the Bard’s Breath and tried the Whale’s Tail next. Again she got no response. Frustrated, She went down the street to the next tavern, the Hook and Line. She was in a foul mood when the third barkeep also said nothing in response to her question.

  “Am I speaking a foreign language here or what?” she asked the barkeep of the Hook and Line. “You can talk can’t you?”

  “When I want to,” the barkeep answered. “Right now I don’t want to. You want information, go to the library. You want to drink, put some coin on the counter.”

  StarWind turned to storm out of the Hook and Line and saw a man quickly glance away from her gaze. She was sure she had seen him in both of the previous taverns and she didn’t believe in coincidences. StarWind calmed herself and walked out of the tavern. As soon as she cleared the door, she darted back towards the Bard’s Breath and melded into the shadows. The old man hobbled out of the Hook and Line and looked both ways. He stood tapping his cane for a few moments and then headed for the fourth tavern, the Broken Plank. She watched him enter the building and quickly thought about her options.

  She wasn’t getting any information from the barkeeps and someone was following her. This Harac person was obviously known here or everyone she talked to would not be stonewalling her. Maybe the best choice was to grab the old man and find out why he was following her.